NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — A crosstown NAIA rivalry takes center stage Saturday as the Dillard Bleu Devils and Xavier (La.) Gold Rush meet in the Crosstown Classic, a highlight of XULA’s homecoming festivities.

Both teams enter the matchup at 1-1. Dillard is looking to rebound from a tough 91-85 overtime road loss to William Carey on Tuesday. The Bleu Devils were led in that contest by Ben Fort, who scored 24 points and pulled down seven rebounds, and DaCarter Coleman, who added 15 points.

Xavier is also coming off a heartbreaker, falling 110-102 in a marathon four-overtime game at Loyola on the same night. The Gold Rush received standout performances from Seviuhn Turner, who posted 22 points and eight rebounds, and Nasir DeGruy, who logged a team-high 25 points while playing 56 minutes.

Dillard opened its season with a 69-54 home victory over Loyola, while Xavier began its campaign with an 82-64 win over Southern University at New Orleans.

The annual rivalry game always carries extra significance, but the energy is expected to be heightened with the contest serving as the centerpiece of Xavier’s homecoming weekend. Both teams will be seeking early-season momentum and local bragging rights before turning their attention to the rest of their conference schedules.